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MLK Day Schedule

Central College sponsors an alternative day of learning in an institutional observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. In place of regular coursework, faculty and students participate in educational opportunities in honor of King’s legacy.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.

Opening Plenary

9:30-10:50 a.m. 

 Opening Plenary, Douwstra Auditorium

  • Introduction by The Black African American Student Union with Selena Snell ’27 and Asia K. Young ’27
  • Land acknowledgment by Winona Van Berkum ’26
  • Persist, Resist, Resolve: Sustaining the Legacy of Dr. King by Stan Dahl, Mathew Kelly, and Ron Rybkowski
  • Keynote address: “Moments of Impact: Race, Injury and Memory in Iowa College Football” Dr. Jaime Schultz

Sessions and Projects

Academic Sessions

Service Projects

11-11:50 a.m.

 “All of God’s Children: Religious Minorities in the American Experience”

Stephanie Wise

Harry and Bernice Vermeer Banquet Hall, Graham Conference Center

 Art2Go Kit Assembly | Pella Community Art Center
Maytag Student Center Atrium

11-11:50 a.m.

 “Examining Racialized Memory in Sport”

Stephen Fyfe ’87, Russ Goodman and Katelin Valster

Dave and Ardie Sutphen Common Room, Graham Annex

12-12:50 p.m.

 “Understanding Forgiveness: Intrapersonal, Interpersonal and Intercultural Contexts”

Shelley Bradfield and Mary Donato

Harry and Bernice Vermeer Banquet Hall, Graham Conference Center

 Farm2Go Kit Assembly | Pella Public Library 
Maytag Student Center Atrium

1-1:50 p.m.

 “Whose America? Bad Bunny, Latino Athletes, Belonging and the Meaning of Citizenship”

Oscar Reynaga

Harry and Bernice Vermeer Banquet Hall, Graham Conference Center

 Reproduction Kit Assembly | Family Planning Council
Maytag Student Center Atrium

Closing Plenary

2 p.m.

 Closing Plenary, Douwstra Auditorium

“African American Choral Music Origins and Influences”

The Central College A Cappella Choir